Fresno State Athletics
Night Of Champions Spotlights Excellence
4/22/2010 12:00:00 AM | General
April 22, 2010
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State Athletics showcases the pride of the San Joaquin Valley while setting a premier standard of excellence in both academic and athletic competition.
On April 26, 2010, Fresno State, the two-time defending Western Athletic Conference Commissioner's Cup champion, will hold its third annual Night of Champions Gala to honor the success of the 450 Bulldog student-athletes. The festivities will start at 7 p.m. in the Satellite Student Union on campus.
The capstone moment of the night will take place as a pair of decorated Bulldogs reflect on their Fresno State careers. Seniors Jennifer Jory and Steve Detwiler were selected as the two senior speakers.
 | "Jennifer Jory is such a quality person and makes it a priority to recognize others for their efforts. She was like opening a present every day. Jen has been a role model for all the girls on the team and I am going to miss her dearly. I am going to miss her dearly." Dr. Becky Malmo, head equestrian coach |
Jory, a Fresno native and one of the team captains on the nationally ranked Fresno State equestrian team, displayed consistency, diligence and a drive to perform at the highest level. She is someone who has embodied the depth of character and provided her teammates a source of strength and inspiration.
"Jen came to us with a lot of raw talent and courage," head equestrian coach Dr. Becky Malmo said. "Over her four years, Jen really polished and honed her skills. She was like opening a present every day. Jen is such a quality person and makes it a priority to recognize others for their efforts."
Jory's bubbly, positive attitude is contagious and motivated her team to national success at the Varsity Equestrian National Championships.
She established herself as one of the nation's best riders and won three MVP awards in the 2008-09 season to prove it. After winning her first three matches in Equitation over Fences, Jory scored at least 70 points in eight of her 11 rides during her junior campaign. She earned MVP honors in the season opening match at Auburn with a high-score of 86 and with an 81 against Delaware State won her second MVP award of the year. She had an 85 ride in tough weather conditions against Miami (Ohio).
Jory opened the 2009-10 season with a win against New Mexico State by delivering a strong score of 80 and followed that up with a season-high of 84 against TCU. She scored 80 or more points in three rides this season and won six matches.
| "Steve Detwiler said this -- he played with an injury by the way -- he said, `It's mind over matter. The pain is temporary. The pride is forever.' And I suspect, Steve, a lot of athletes, whether they were on your team or on the teams represented here, can testify that pride is forever. This is a prideful moment for you." George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States of America |
Throughout her four-year Bulldog experience, Jory balanced performing at a high level in the classroom and show arena while working part-time. Her humbleness and passionate work ethic define Jory's key contributions to the Fresno community and spotlight the core values of Fresno State Athletics.
"I wanted to spend some extra quality time with my senior team captains," Malmo said when recalling the team's recent trip to VENC in Waco, Tex. "Jen always take the time to show me and everyone how much they mean to her. She has been a role model for all the girls on the team and I am going to miss her dearly."
 Senior Steve Detwiler (15) sparked the Bulldogs' 2008 National Championship with grit and determination. He will also speak at Monday night's Night of Champions Gala. | |
With the national spotlight beaming on Detwiler and the rest of the 2008 national champion baseball team, the Omaha legend secured his place in Bulldog lore. He completely tore a ligament in his thumb prior to Fresno State's magical run to the championship, but powered the `Dogs with two home runs and drove in all six runs while catching the final out to clinch the College World Series title.
"Steve has given us four years of energy and leaving it all on the field," head baseball coach Batesole said of his senior right fielder. "He has been fun to coach and brings everyone to another level. In 2008, his thumb was dangling by a thread and the doctors said the injury couldn't get any worse because he had already torn it off, but that didn't mean the pain went away. He couldn't take batting practice or swing a bat outside of games. It all set up that special last day and he caught the last out of our national championship."
The heart and fire of the Forest Knolls, Calif. native, was also recognized by the United States' 43rd President George W. Bush during an once-in-a-lifetime ceremony on the White House lawn.
"Steve Detwiler said this -- he played with an injury by the way -- he said, `It's mind over matter. The pain is temporary. The pride is forever.' And I suspect, Steve, a lot of athletes, whether they were on your team or on the teams represented here, can testify that pride is forever. This is a prideful moment for you," Bush noted in his speech to an intimate group of 2008 NCAA champions in spring sports.
Detwiler has been named to the 2008 College World Series All-Tournament Team, a 2009 Preseason All-WAC outfielder and recently to Fresno State's All-Decade Team (2000-2010), the only current Bulldog to earn the honor.
Fresno State Athletics will also recognize the community service, academic scholars, WAC champions and a slate of prestigious and storied awards.
Meet Your Bulldogs: Jennifer Jory
Steve Detwiler after winning the 2008 NCAA Championship
"We Are Your Team!" --- The Bulldog Foundation has launched the "Drive to Five," a membership campaign with a goal to increase the number of Bulldog Foundation members from 2,800 to 5,000 by September of 2011. Please help us reach this goal by spreading the word to your family, friends, and other Bulldog fans in the community. Memberships start at only $100 and payment plans are available. Increasing the Bulldog Foundation membership to 5,000 members will provide new resources that will directly benefit Fresno State Athletics and all 450 student-athletes.
Players Mentioned
